In the Know - January 16, 2024
January 16, 2024
Contract negotiations: Q and A under development
In recent weeks, district departments have been working to field, answer and compile commonly asked questions regarding the contract negotiation process by district staff and community members.
❓Have a question? Send questions to info@ahschools.us so it can be added to the Negotiations website at ahschools.us/negotiations. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will be published and shared in the next issue of In the Know, sent to staff Jan. 22.
Anoka-Hennepin Schools values the dedication of its staff members and it is the goal to improve terms and conditions for employees while working within tight budget parameters that maintain financial and operational stability for the district.
What's new: The District and Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) negotiation teams met for 11 hours in mediation on January 3. The parties had meaningful conversations and gained understanding of each side’s position. At this time, both the union and the district still have considerable work to do to reach a settlement. Mediation will resume on January 19.
🤝 While conducting contract negotiations, the district aims to work collaboratively with bargaining groups in alignment with Policy 209, the negotiations code of ethics, which details guiding principles and practices in reaching agreements with Anoka-Hennepin employment contracts:
Provide accurate, timely and complete information to employees and the general public.
Respectfully and fairly participate in the negotiation process.
Maintain support of the district, its schools and its staff.
Make every reasonable effort to arrive at a responsible settlement for each contract.
📊 By the numbers: View the Negotiations webpage at ahschools.us/negotiations to view the status of current contract negotiations in Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
Three new members take oath of office, begin School Board service
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board held its first meeting of the year Monday, Jan. 8, initiating the meeting with three new members taking the ceremonial oath of office to begin serving their four-year terms. New board members include:
Linda Hoekman
Serving District One: Representing western Andover, Anoka, western Coon Rapids and southwestern Ramsey.
Zach Arco
Serving District Two: Representing Blaine and eastern Coon Rapids.
Michelle Langenfeld
Serving District Five: Representing Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, southern Coon Rapids and Fridley.
The six-member Anoka-Hennepin School Board makes policy and oversees the district’s budget, curriculum, personnel and physical facilities. All board meetings are open to the public, except for those specifically permitted by law to be closed for discussion of identified issues such as negotiations or matters of data privacy.
The agenda for the first School Board meeting in January serves as an organizational meeting where the board selects officers and receives appointments for committee assignments along with conducting annual business functions. The organizational meeting concluded with an impasse for electing any members to officer positions and the delegation process is expected to resume at its next regular meeting, Monday, Jan. 22. Read the full story.
Reminder: Staff may subscribe to receive emergency text message alerts
Staff members are encouraged to confirm that they are subscribed to receive text message alerts to stay "in the know." An emergency message could be sent to make staff aware of weather closings and delays, school emergencies and other important notices.
✅ Verify that you are subscribed: From the Skyward employee access screen, select “update phone number” icon and follow the on-screen instructions. Detailed instructions are provided for those who need them. Subscribers can opt out of the text messages by responding STOP to any message sent by the system.
🆘 For technical support: Email 506help@ahschools.us or call 763-506-HELP (4357). For more details, visit the Anoka-Hennepin Schools communications webpage to view important reminders.
Now open: Above & Beyond Award nominations accepted through Jan. 22
📣 Do you know an Anoka-Hennepin staff member who goes above and beyond normal job expectations to ensure that students receive a high-quality education in a safe and nurturing environment? Maybe that person is a teacher, a custodian or a para? Maybe a school counselor or principal? Perhaps someone working in the cafeteria, or a nurse or a secretary?
👍 If you know someone who does amazing work for children, you’re strongly encouraged to nominate them for the Above & Beyond Awards. The Above & Beyond Awards involve students, staff, parents and community members in recognizing and honoring Anoka-Hennepin staff who consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful.
🗳️ Nominations are being accepted through Monday, Jan. 22, 2024.
💻 Visit the Above & Beyond Awards website, ahschools.us/aboveandbeyond, for a nomination form or to read additional information about the awards.
The program is a joint effort of the district and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF). The 2024 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony will take place April 3 at the Educational Service Center (ESC).
Third free online educational class for employees is Jan. 30: Estate Planning Basics
A partnership between the Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations and Benefits Department and Capital Street Financial Services, Inc. has led to the Anoka-Hennepin Financial Education Program. The goal of the program is to provide employees with practical knowledge, skills-building opportunities and resources they can use to manage their finances with confidence.
💵 Class information: Estate Planning Basics
🗓️ When: Jan. 30, 2024 - 5-6 p.m.
📝 What: General estate planning concepts and strategies are explained. Learn about wills, trusts, health care, directives, and other important documents and considerations for your legacy planning.
🔍 Learn more about the partnership and see dates for other classes.
Tickets for annual AHEF Northern Stars Celebration on sale now
Every year, the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF) hosts a fun, lively party called the Northern Stars Celebration, to celebrate the excellence that is our Anoka-Hennepin students, schools, and foundation.
"This is a great evening to celebrate how our fabulous and generous donors have benefitted our students, schools and community," said Board Chair and retired educator, Kim Allen. "The Anoka-Hennepin School District and our foundation impact the daily lives of more than 37,000 students and their families and we want to recognize and continue this combined success."
📅 When: Saturday, Feb. 10 from 5:30-9 p.m.
📍 Where: The Bunker Hills Event Center.
What to expect this year:
- Social hour with unique silent auction items to entice you and your friends.
- Live auction with exciting new experiences for you.
- A delicious dinner (chicken florentine, boneless beef short ribs, or saffron balsamic grilled vegetables).
- A special appeal to fuel innovation for our students and schools.
- An after program social hour to connect with friends .
🎟️ Get your tickets online for the Northern Stars Celebration 2024!
Apply now for summer school positions
Anoka-Hennepin is currently seeking teachers and paraeducators for early childhood, elementary and secondary Extended School Year and Targeted Services summer positions.
Paraeducators and teachers who are not available for working the entirety of the summer schedule are encouraged to still apply and reach out to the appropriate supervisor indicating your availability. Sub coverage is still needed in the summer and your availability may help to fill that need.
💻 Visit ahschools.us/jobs to browse positions and apply online.
Champlin Park High School Unified club basketball team shows off talents against Maple Grove
🏀 At halftime of the Champlin Park High School (CPHS) boys varsity basketball game against Maple Grove High School on Jan. 4, the CPHS Unified Club played a game against Maple Grove's Unified physical education class. Thursday's game showcased great work by both schools in promoting inclusion.
The Unified Club at CPHS aims to create a school climate where students with disabilities feel welcome and routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions.
🎥 Watch this story by CCX News to learn more about the halftime showdown on the hardwood.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 39: You’re the Expert: How to successfully advocate for your child
Navigating the mental health system both in the medical and educational settings can be difficult or just a new experience for parents/guardians. In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast, Beth Lovre a family peer educator with the National Alliance of Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI) joined host Liz Burgard to provide information for parents/guardians on the value of parent engagement and advocacy to ensure the best care and treatment for your child.
Lovre will be the guest speaker for the next Parent Engage 360 event set for Thursday, Feb. 29 at Champlin Park High School. The event, titled You’re the Expert: How to successfully advocate for your child, will provide parents and guardians with information and resources on how parents can be an advocate for their child in the doctor’s office, the mental health system and in public education settings. Learn more at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
🎧 Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360. The podcast is also available on Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts.
Episode highlights:
- Lovre highlights the work of NAMI Minnesota. Learn more at namimn.org.
- 12:51 - Lovre highlights some of the topics and resources that will be provided at the Feb. 29 Parent Engage 360 event at Champlin Park High School.
- If you need immediate support, 24-hour support is available by calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
- As a parent, if you are not sure where to start or just need someone to talk to, reach out to NAMI at 1-888-NAMI-HELPS (1-888-626-4435). You can also email namihelps@namimn.org to get in touch with a family peer educator.
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.
Students honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with “We Have a Dream” wall
To honor and recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., students at Anoka High School (AHS) created a “We Have a Dream” wall in the entryway of the school. Students posted quotes and photos of Dr. King, while also adding some of their own dreams to the wall.
The student project, which was inspired by Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, was guided by AHS student achievement advisor, Vivienne Williamson. She said, “The goal of the project was to help students understand who Martin Luther King, Jr. was and what he stood for — and that’s peace.”
The project was on display ahead of the Monday, Jan. 15 holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Many students stopped to view the wall and took time to read what other students had written. 📸 View photos of the “We Have a Dream” wall at AHS.
What they’re saying: “This project is very important to me because it keeps people informed about the life of MLK, Jr. As a black student, I see Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as someone who made dreams possible for people of color and anyone who ever doubted their worth or gave up because of the color of their skin.” - Salomie Courage Zeon, AHS 11th grader.
“Making the MLK Day project was really important to me because people my age think of this day as just a day off of school. They never remember and honor who the day is about and why we celebrate. So making this project really touched me and made me feel like I was doing my part, while honoring this day and honoring him.” - Varney Kiawu, AHS 10th grader.
The date, explained: The district is closed Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It’s a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday in January, honoring the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who advocated the use of nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement.
Coon Rapids High School graduate writes Adventures Plus theme song
Imani Harris, 2023 Coon Rapids High School graduate, has spent her time since graduation serving students in the Adventures Plus school-age child care program, coordinated by Community Education. While working with the school-age care program, Harris created an "APlus" theme song. She played the guitar and taught the song to many of the students at Andover Elementary while working for Adventures Plus. Harris said the children memorized the song in about a week and a half.
“They had a lot of fun with it,” said Harris. “They got to implement a lot of their own movements to go along with the lyrics, which was super cool.” Harris will be attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York to pursue her dream of becoming a professional performer. As she pursues her own goals, she will leave behind a legacy of sorts when she leaves her job in February. In high school, she was selected as a Triple Threat student by Hennepin Theatre Trust for demonstrating exceptional skills in singing, acting, dancing and leadership.
“I’m really happy with the way it turned out,” said Harris. “It’s hard to write a children’s song that's still catchy, but also relative to what they’re doing and has some meaning. I’m pretty proud of it.” Harris assumes she will be singing the song with the kids every day until she leaves, and she hopes someone else will lead the group when she’s gone.
Testing opportunities for students to earn a World Language certificate or seal
Anoka-Hennepin students in grades 10-12 with a mastery of world languages can use that knowledge to earn special recognitions – World Language Proficiency Certificates or Bilingual/Multilingual Seals.
Additionally, college credit can be awarded to these students who attend or transfer to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and select other post-secondary institutions within three years of graduation from Anoka-Hennepin.
What to know:
- Spring testing dates are March 26 and/or March 28. The registration deadline is Friday, March 8 at 4 p.m.
- The cost of the AAPPL exam is $30 per assessment ($10 if a student receives free or reduced-price lunch).
- AAPPL Test Languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish
- Hybrid Format Exams are available in: Swahili, Ukrainian, Tamil, Dari, and Pashto. These tests will incur a fee of $30 ($10 for students on free and reduced lunch.)
- NEW: There is no fee for students taking the Extempore Exam for the 2023-2024 school year due to a grant that the Minnesota Department of Education received from the Securian Financial Foundation. Extempore Test Languages: Amharic, Dakota/Lakota, Hmong, Karen, Ojibwe, Somali, and Vietnamese.
Dig deeper: To learn more about this opportunity, see the languages currently available, and register here to take an exam, visit ahschools.us/bilingualseal.
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to all Anoka-Hennepin staff on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about In the Know e-newsletter? Contact us.